How should we educate a patient on hygiene with GP lenses?

• A. do not exposure CLs to water, no swimming, showering in lenses (due to acanthamoeba keratitis), rinsing lenses should be with sodium chloride solutions or MPS
• B. Always rinse with tap water before handling lenses
• C. Rinse lenses with distilled water only
• D. No hygiene instructions necessary

Answer: (A)

The key idea is educating patients to minimize water exposure and use proper rinsing solutions to prevent serious eye infections with GP lenses. Water can harbor pathogens like Acanthamoeba, which can cause a painful, vision-threatening keratitis if they contact the lens or eye. Therefore, never expose the lenses to water and avoid swimming or showering with lenses in place.

Rinsing with sterile sodium chloride solution (sterile saline) or a multipurpose solution is recommended because these are designed to be sterile and compatible with the eye and lens material, helping to flush away debris or potential contaminants without introducing organisms. Tap water or distilled water are not acceptable for rinsing because they can contain microorganisms and are not guaranteed to be sterile, increasing the risk of infection or adverse corneal reactions.

So, educating patients to avoid water exposure and to use appropriate sterile rinsing/disinfection solutions is essential for safe GP lens wear.